VMAs 2014: Beyonce Performs a Mesmerizing ‘Beyonce’ Medley

Beyonce closed out the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards with an incredible medley that covered her entire 2013 “Beyonce” album in abridged forms. MTV had been touting the performance all night with various countdown clocks and for good reason — it was easily the night’s best moment.

The nearly 15-minute set started off with “Mine,” a sultry ballad amplified by the song’s title in blue flames behind her. From there, she weaved in and out of “Ghost/Haunted,” “No Angel” and “Jealous.” Things started to heat up beat-wise when she shifted into “Blow” and her ubiquitous single “Drunk in Love,” the latter of which she called out to the Forum crowd for a sing along. A camera cut away for a split second to Jay Z and her daughter Blue Ivy staring in awe.

The sexiest part of the performance immediately followed, with a handful of Beyonce’s more risque tunes. “Rocket” gave way to “Partition,” which featured a quick jaunt around some stripper poles, with “Bow Down” and “Yonce” promptly teased after.

But it was the last two songs that were the most poignant. She closed with an emotional performance of “Blue,” a song she recorded after the birth of her daughter while a home movie montage of her with Jay Z and Blue Ivy played on the video screen behind her (she showed the same video this past summer on her and Jay Z’s “On the Run” joint tour).

The night closed with a slowed down version of the first “Beyonce” single “XO” — at that point, she seemed a bit out of breath, but stuck around long enough to accept the “Michael Jackson Video Vanguard” Award, which Jay Z and Blue emerged from their perch in the audience to give to her.

“I have nothing to say but I’m full of so much gratitude,” she said, looking a bit overwhelmed. The show then abruptly cut off, as if MTV too had nothing more to say.

About Speakeasy

Speakeasy is a blog covering media, entertainment, celebrity and the arts. The publication is produced by Barbara Chai and Jonathan Welsh with contributions from the Wall Street Journal staff and others. Write to us at speakeasy@wsj.com or follow us on Twitter at @WSJSpeakeasy or individually @barbarachai.